There was a time that I was rock bottom dirt bag seriously poor dude. Around 6 years! Pronutro and pan cakes was all I could afford for weeks at a time. Paid off student loans for more than 20 years!

Been there and done that when I was a student hanging around while film companies wasted my time for no pay. Margaret my wife worked for a film producer for a year or so, and I shared digs with a grip for 2 years too and I know the industry quite well.

I am warning young people that the film industry can really waste one's time. They dangle carrots and nothing comes of it for that vast majority of aspirants.

One of our employees came close to losing his job at CR because he missed his shifts when a film shoot did not stick to their deal with him and he was in a serious jam.

Don't fool yourself, the film industry is generally ruthlessly abusive of people's time and often runs rough shod over people's feelings as well. Route setting or belaying kids at CR or doing a waitron job could be a lot better return on your time. If your time has no value - go for it.

- Extras / library-shoot work that is paid per hour without an audition: Great
(R500 - R2000 per day)

- Any role where there is auditioning: Waste of time. They always insist that they need a climber and then always choose the professional model. Often the agencies are paid to audition a quota of people. That quota is often in the 100s or thousands, often across several continents.

Unless you are full-time in the industry placing lots of bets, contract only. No contingent remuneration.